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Discover the wonders of West Africa from historic Freetown to alluring Accra

Encounter mountains, beaches and mud roads on this epic West African adventure. Begin the adventure in historic Freetown then get off the beaten track in Sierra Leone, fall in love with cheeky primates and be surrounded by dense rainforest on Tiwai Island. Journey on to Guinea and explore mountainous forested regions, incredible scenery, lush forests and fascinating villages. Cross the border into Cote d'Ivoire and appreciate colonial architecture in the old French capital Grand Bassam and stop in at bizarre Yamoussoukro. Travel along Ghana's stunning Atlantic coast to the beaches of Elmina and walk among tree canopies in Kakum National Park before ending the adventure in buzzing Accra. This challenging adventure showcases the best of West Africa.

Border information: if you are joining in Freetown, you will most likely enter Sierra Leone at Freetown Lungi International Airport (IATA code: FNA). There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining
hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport, visas, and insurance detailsat this meeting.

The afternoon will be free to explore Freetown and it's surroundings. Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Freetown before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Freetown. In Freetown we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities. The fastest and most reliable way to Freetown from the airport is by water-taxi, as Lungi is across a bay from the city. The departure times for the water-taxis are linked to each flight in and out of the airport, so there will be transport available for you when you land. Exit the airport and walk to the right, and you'll see the water-taxi office at the end - you'll have to buy your ticket there for USD40 or EUR35, and check in your large bags. You'll take a minibus for 15 minutes, then the watertaxi for 30 minutes. The boat lands at the jetty, where you hand in your luggage ticket to get your large bags back. The jetty is in the Aberdeen district of Freetown, only a 200m walk from our hotel. Just walk up the hill to the main road - the Raza Guesthouse
is slightly further down and on the other side of the road. Hotel for the night: Raza Guesthouse

Activity Approximate Cost
See the Freetown Cotton Tree, the city's most famous landmark and home to hundreds of bats that fly out at dusk Free
See the King's Yard Gate, where the ancestors of all modern Creole people will have passed through on their way to a free life after their rescue from illegal slaving ships Free
Learn about Sierra Leone's traditional history and cultures at the National Museum Free
Visit the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum, a remarkable collection of old trains that was hidden from destrution for 30 years USD 5
Take a boat to the overgrown ruins of the old slaving fort of Bunce Island, from where the ancestors of most modern AfricanAmericans were shipped to the New World USD 150

About Freetown:
Freetown, the lively capital of Sierra Leone, is steeped in history and culture. In 1787, British philanthropists founded the "Province of Freedom" which later became Freetown, a British crown colony and the principal base for the suppression of the slave trade. By 1792, 1200 freed slaves from Nova Scotia joined the original settlers, and the city began to grow as the new home for freed slaves. The city became the capital of British West Africa between 1808 and 1874, and was the base for the Royal Navy's mission to enforce the ban on the Atlantic slave trading. In more modern times, Freetown saw a lot of fierce fighting during the Sierra Leonean civil war, and in ultimately unsuccessful attacks from the rebel armies. Today, Freetown is a thriving and bustling city and the centre of Krio culture in West Africa. There are some wonderful highlights nearby, including the famous Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in the mountains overlooking the city.

Meals Included

Today we leave Freetown for the stunning beaches of Freetown Peninsular, where we will spend 3 nights.
There are a few different options for which beaches we could choose to visit, our favourites being Bureh Beach at the south of the peninsular and River Number 2 Beach in the western part. Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are
approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!). We will have 2 full days for optional activities on the wonderful beaches
- we could go fishing, take a boat to explore the Banana Islands, get to know the local communities, and of course relax on the beautiful beaches! On Freetown Peninsular we will camp on the beach, with some options to upgrade to basic guesthouses.

Activity Approximate Cost
Visit the orphan chimpanzees at Tacaguma Chimpanzee Sanctuary outside of Freetown, a wonderful organisation that rehabilitates rescued chimpanzees for their return to the wild USD 15
Relax on some of the best beaches in the world dotted along the Freetown Peninsular Free Take a boat trip to explore the beautiful and overgrown Banana Islands off the coast of the Freetown Peninsular USD 25
Head out with the locals in their traditional wooden boats to try your hand at fishing USD 10
Hire surfboards to take out onto the waves of Bureh Beach, one of West Africa's best surfing spots USD 10
Head out on a diving trip around the reefs and shipwrecks off the Banana Islands USD 180
Snorkel through the idyllic waters off the Banana Islands near Freetown Peninsular USD 120

About Freetown Peninsular:
Sierra Leone's capital city of Freetown is perched on the northern tip of a mountainous peninsular on the Atlantic coast. The peninsular is one of the most beautiful areas of Africa, and features some incredible
tropical beaches - the beaches are lined with palm trees, have stunning white sands and glittering blue oceans, and are dotted with lively beach communities and fishing villages. We will normally camp on Bureh Beach, an idyllic stretch of coast on the southern peninsular which features some excellent surfing and boat trip opportunities. One highlight of a stay on the peninsular is to take a trip out to the nearby Banana Islands, a serene and historic island dotted with old buildings and ancient cannons.

Meals Included

Leaving the Freetown Peninsular behind, today we have a full day's drive through Sierra Leone to the Tiwai Island Sanctuary, one of Sierra Leone's largest inland islands. Estimated Drive Time - 9-10 hours.
On the following day, we will enjoy various nature walks through the web of trails that weave through the Tiwai forest. We'll be in search of the rare and colourful primates that inhabit the sanctuary, and if we're very lucky we may spot a very rare pygmy hippo! In Tiwai we will stay for 2 nights sleeping in tents perched on covered platforms.

Activity Approximate Cost
Visit the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, home to one of the densest populations of primates and pygmy hippos in Africa, and enjoy several included walks around the web of trails on the island Included in Kitty
Take an optional canoe or motor boat tour through the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary (if available) USD 10

About Tiwai Island Sanctuary:
Tiwai is a small island on the River Moa in southern Sierra Leone, and is home to one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world. The island contains many rare and endangered species such as the Diana monkey, Red and Olive Colobus monkeys, as well as many wild chimpanzees, who use stones as hammers and tree roots as anvils to crack open hard nuts. There are also around 135 different species of birds, including 8 types of hornbills and the White-breasted Guinea fowl. Webs of trails weave through the Tiwai forest, allowing visitors and researchers to explore up to 50kms of walking paths. If you move silently through the forest, you may be lucky enough to spot some of the island's colourful primates or even the unique and elusive pygmy hippopotamuses!

Included Activities

Nature walk

Meals Included

the small town of Kabala. Kabala is famous for being an oasis of cool air in the hills of northern Sierra Leone, and for its traditional Ronko-dyed clothes - shirts or gowns made of strips of cloth, typically dyed a rusty reddish-brown using local pigments. We aim to wild camp near the town of Makeni en route, or we may stay
in a local guesthouse depending on the size and wishes of the group. In Kabala we will stay in a basic local guesthouse. Estimated Drive Times - 6-8 hours each day.

Activity Approximate Cost
Freely explore the markets of Kabala or walk to the top of the nearby Gbawuria Hill Free

About Kabala:
The small town of Kabala is up in the cool Wara Wara hills of northern Sierra Leone, and its cool atmosphere can be a welcome relief from the heat of the coast! Surrounded by forests and hills, it has a serene atmosphere and some pleasant walks around the area. It is famous in Sierra Leone for the traditional red fabric-dyeing technique known as Ronko.

Meals Included

Border information: Exit Sierra Leone and enter Guinea at GberiaFotombu. The next 2 days we will spend travelling through the remote border region between Sierra Leone and Guinea, driving through scenic areas
very rarely visited by tourists and wild camping for a night en route. We will arrive at the small Guinean town of Faranah on the second day. The road conditions in this area can be pretty tough going and unpredictable, and progress can be greatly affected by the weather conditions, so flexibility is very important over these days.
We will wild camp en route for the first night, and stay in a local guesthouse in Faranah on the second night.
Estimated Drive Times - 5-8 hours each day.

About Gberia Fotombu:
The roads between Faranah in Guinea and Kabala in Sierra Leone can be a serious challenge. Taking on narrow dirt forest roads, deep ruts and corrugations, fording rivers - this is rugged overlanding at its best, truly off the beaten track in a remote part of West Africa!

Meals Included

Today we will travel through the central region of Guinea, stopping for a night in one of the towns en route (depending on how the drive goes, this may be Macenta or Guéckédou). In Macenta or Guéckédou we will stay in a small locally-run hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 7-9 hours.

Meals Included

Today we will continue through the forested region of Guinea, visiting one of the famous vine bridges (Pont de Liana) en route. We will arrive at the small town of Nzerekoré in the heart of Guinea's Forest Region. Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours. On the following day, we will have free time to explore the town, the nearby villages and the surrounding forests. In Nzerekoré we will stay in a small locally-run guesthouse.

Activity Approximate Cost
Trek to the Pont de Liana, one of the phenomenal old vine bridges in the forested region of Guinea Included in Kitty
Freely explore the forested region of Guinea and the market town of Nzerekoré on foot Free

About Forested Guinea:
Forested Guinea (Guinée Forestière) is a forested mountainous region in south eastern Guinea, one of four natural regions in Guinea which covers around a quarter of the country. The region is known for its diverse ethnic population, including the Toma and Lissi groups, and also became a shelter for large numbers of refugees from the Sierra Leonean, Liberian, and Ivorian civil wars of the 1990s and 2000s. The area is also famous for its traditional vine bridges that are dotted around the area - the bridges are masterpieces of utilising the natural environment, using only the vines to make sturdy crossings that span the wide rivers of the region. We will attempt to find a traditional 100-year old vine bridge on our journey through the beautiful area.

Meals Included

Border information: Exit Guinea at Gbakoré, enter Côte d'Ivoire at Gbapleu. The next 2 days are spent crossing the border and driving through central Côte d'Ivoire. These days take us through some very remote
areas and some very poor quality dirt roads, so a great deal of flexibility is needed as our progress will largely be determined by the state of the roads. Both nights will be spent wild camping en route. Estimated Drive Times - 7-9 hours each day.

Meals Included

Today we will drive through the lush countryside to the northern Ivorian town of Korhogo, famed for the multitude of crafts that are made there. Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours. On the following day, we will head out on an included tour around many of the handicraft workshops in the area, visiting painters, bead makers, wood carvers and cloth weavers. We will also have time to freely explore the town and its surroundings.
In Korhogo we will stay in a small local hotel.

Activity Approximate Cost
See a performance of drumming and acrobatic dancing in the villages near Korhogo USD 5

About Korhogo:
The town of Korhogo in the north of Côte d'Ivoire is famed for its various traditional handicrafts. On a tour around the area surrounding Korhogo, we will gain a fascinating insight into the life of the local Senoufo people and see some of the traditional crafts being made. We will usually visit a collective of painters, a ceramic jewellery workshop, a district of wooden mask carvers and a village of cloth weavers. It's a wonderful place to search out some souvenirs - be prepared to haggle!

Included Activities

Guided tour of the local cloth weavers

Meals Included

Today we will drive to Yamoussoukro, the tiny and bizarre capital of Côte d'Ivoire. Yamoussoukro was the birthplace of Felix HouphouëtBoigny, the first president of independent Côte d'Ivoire, and is also the unusual location of the colossal and breathtaking Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the largest Christian church in the world. In the afternoon will have an included visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, and then have free time to further explore the small city. Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours. In Yamoussoukro we will stay in a local hotel.

Activity Approximate Cost
Visit the opulent Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix, the largest Christian place of worship in the world Included in Kitty

About Yamoussoukro:
The tiny town of Yamoussoukro is the official capital of Côte d'Ivoire - although being much smaller and more isolated than the huge coastal city of Abidjan, Yamoussoukro was the hometown of the long-serving post-independence President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who decided it should be the country's capital and proceeded to spend exorbitant amounts of money on developing it. Most of that money was spent on his showpiece project, the Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix. Despite such a low percentage of the population actually being Catholic, the President spent hundreds of millions of dollars on this grand basilica - based on St. Peter’s in the Vatican, the basilica is the largest Christian place of worship in the world! The tiny town itself also boasts six-lane highways that lead nowhere, a bizarre 1960s-futuristic hotel, and the secretive Presidential Palace - Yamoussoukro is a surreal place that has to be seen to be believed!

Meals Included

Today we will drive to the Atlantic coast, arriving at the old French colonial capital of Grand Bassam situated east of Abidjan. Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours. On the following two days, we will have free time to explore the old colonial town and to relax on the beautiful beaches around our hotel. In Grand Bassam we will stay in a local hotel on the beach.

Activity Approximate Cost
Freely explore the stunning beaches and old colonial buildings of Grand Bassam, the original French capital of Côte d'Ivoire Free
Visit the National Museum of Costume, which showcases the cultural dresses of the different tribes of Côte d’Ivoire XOF 2000

About Grand Bassam:
The tiny town of Grand Bassam was for a short time the French colonial capital between 1893 and 1896, before a bout of yellow fever forced them to move the capital up the coast to Bingerville. Grand Bassam is a pleasant town with a small old colonial centre, and is a great place to kick back and relax on the serene beaches.

Meals Included

Border information: Exit Côte d'Ivoire at Elubo, enter Ghana at Elubo. Today we cross into Ghana and then head east along the Atlantic coast to the beaches of Beru Akyinim near the historic town of Elmina.
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours. On the following day, we will get involved with the currently community
projects being run in the Elmina area by the SABRE Charitable Trust. The Trust does very valuable work in developing educational projects across Ghana, with a focus on providing early-years education - Dragoman has been visiting their projects and providing a day of help nd a donation for many years, allowing us to give a little back and to experience a wonderful bit of community interaction. The exact
experience will depend on what the Trust has a need for at the time, but we could be asked to help to paint a classroom, do a bit of gardening in one of the schools, or simply come and play some games with the kids! We will also have time for an optional visit to Elmina Castle and to relax on the beautiful beaches on Ghana's Atlantic Coast. In Elmina we will camp at a stunning beach resort.

About Elmina:
The beaches along the Ghanaian coast near the town of Elmina are some of best in West Africa. The local people here rely heavily on fishing and cultivating coconuts, pineapples and groundnuts to make a living.
Over the last few years Dragoman have been involved with the Sabre Trust, a local grass-roots charity which is working to improve education for all of the children here. Originally the school here was in a terrible state of disrepair and extremely under-resourced, but gradually this is beginning to improve largely due to the work of the Sabre Trust. On Dragoman's overland trips through Elmina, we get involved with a
variety of projects at the school. Depending on your group's skills and the school's needs, you could be getting your hands dirty helping out with small building projects, participating in educational workshops, or
even helping with the teaching. Getting involved at the school is a great opportunity to lend a hand and give something back to the local people here, albeit in a small way. It's also a great chance to experience everyday Ghanaian life at first hand, getting to know the local children and their families.

Included Activities

Sabre Trust School project, Elmina

Elmina Castle

Meals Included

Today we will head into the nearby town of Cape Coast for a fascinating and moving tour of the old slave fort there. We will then drive inland to the rainforests of Kakum National Park. On arrival we will head out on an included evening walk through the forests in search of wildlife, bugs and snakes! We may also have the chance to visit a small animal sancutary or stingless bee centre en route. In Kakum National Park we will camp in the grounds of the Park HQ. Estimated Drive Time - 2-4 hours.

Activity Approximate Cost
Visit to the stunning jungles of Kakum National Park and walk through the rainforests at night Free
Explore the incredible rainforest canopy from the unique suspended bridges in Kakum National Park Included in Kitty
Learn all about the area's stingless bees and their importance to the local ecology at the International Stingless Bee Centre near Kakum National Park (if time allows) GHC 10
Visit the Monkey Forest Resort Animal Sanctuary near Kakum NP, a sanctuary for animals rescued from poachers (if time allows) GHC 15
Learn all about the appalling history of the Atlantic slave trade with a tour of the historic Cape Coast Castle Free

About Kakum National Park:
Kakum National Park is a protected area of dense rainforest in southern Ghana, just inland of Cape Coast. The forest contains some very rare wildlife such as pygmy elephants, forest buffalo and an incredible array
of birdlife, which we may be lucky enough to spot on a night walk through the winding maze of paths that criss-cross through the trees. We will also take an early morning walk along the canopy walkways that are set up amongst the tops of the trees, which offer a unqiue and unobtrusive way for travellers to experience the forest.

About Cape Coast:
The bustling fishing town of Cape Coast is home to a huge old fort, one of many built by Europeans along the Atlantic coast in the 17th and 18th centuries. These forts were built to protect the various nations'
interests in the trading of ivory, gold and slaves. The Cape Coast Fort is the largest and one of the best-preserved of these forts - originally constructed by Swedish traders in 1653, it changed hands between Danish, Dutch, and eventually British powers, and was steadily extended into the huge structure that exists today. It became primarly used for slave trading throughout the 18th Century, until the British abolished slavery in 1807 and the fort became a base from which the Atlantic slave trade was fought against. A visit here is very thought-provoking and harrowing, seeing the same cells where unfortunate slaves were held in appalling conditions before being loaded onto ships to the New World.

Included Activities

Entrance and Rainforest canopy walk, Kakum National Park

Entrance and Tour of Slave Fort at Cape Coast

Meals Included

Today we have an early start with an included morning visit to the Kakum National Park canopy walkways. These are a long series of hanging bridges at the forest canopy level that gives us a unique perspective of the rainforest - and at that time of the morning we will have the place to ourselves! We will then journey north through Ghana's interior to the historic town of Kumasi. Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
On the following day, we will have lots of time for free exploration of the fascinating town and its museums. Kumasi is the home of West Africa's largest market and was the centre of the Ashanti Kingdom. In Kumasi we will stay in a local guesthouse.

Activity Approximate Cost
Visit to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti kingdom and culture GHC 10
Freely explore the bustling and colossal centre of Kejetia, the largest market in West Africa Free
Visit the National Cultural Centre and the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum to learn all about the history and culture of the Ashanti civilisation, of which Kumasi is still the capital GHC 5
Find out all about the British-Ashanti Wars of the 19th century on a guided tour of the Ghana Armed Forces Museum in Kumasi GHC 8
Escape the city and explore the shore of Lake Bosumtwe, a circular lake formed by a meteorite crash 100 million years ago GHC 30

About Kumasi:
Kumasi is the ancient capital of the Ashanti Empire, once one of the most important powers in Africa and a well-studied military power that dominated the area between 1700 and 1954. Now it is a thriving, bustling, provincial city with a lively atmosphere, and enjoys semiautonomous status as the centre of the modern Ashanti culture. The locals are proud of their Ashanti heritage, and you can learn all about the fascinating history in the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and Manhiya Palace Museum. Kumasi also boasts the labyrinth-like Kejetia market - it is the largest market in the whole of West Africa, and well worth exploring.

Meals Included

Today we will drive to Accra, the chaotic capital of Ghana! We will have free time on arrival to explore the city. In Accra we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities. Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.

Activity Approximate Cost
Explore the fascinating and chaotic Ghanaian capital city of Accra GHC 5
Learn all about the history and culture of Ghana in the National Museum GHC 40
Visit the famous Labadi Beach situated on the outskirts of Accra GHC 5
Freely explore the huge Independence Square and Black Star Arch in Accra, where independence was celebrated in 1957 Free
Freely explore the area of Jamestown, Accra's oldest district and a vibrant fishing area Free
Visit the outside of the famous Osu Castle, the seat of power in Ghana since the 1600s Free

About Accra:
Ghana's sprawling capital of Accra is a bustling coastal city boasting a lively atmosphere and some busy urban beaches full of musicians, acrobats and souvenir sellers. The Perpetual Flame at the Cenotaph in Revolution Square is worth a look, and the National Museum houses one of the best collections in all of West Africa. Next to the museum you will also find a good craft market, perfect for a bit of souvenir shopping. In the evening you can sample Accra's lively nightlife, heading out to one of the many bars and restaurants that can be found all over this surprising city.

Meals Included

Border information: If you are leaving at Accra, you will most likely exit Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC). Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Accra. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Dragoman Sales team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.

Activity Approximate Cost
Explore the fascinating and chaotic Ghanaian capital city of Accra GHC 5
Learn all about the history and culture of Ghana in the National Museum GHC 40
Visit the famous Labadi Beach situated on the outskirts of Accra GHC 5
Freely explore the huge Independence Square and Black Star Arch in Accra, where independence was celebrated in 1957 Free
Freely explore the area of Jamestown, Accra's oldest district and a vibrant fishing area Free
Visit the outside of the famous Osu Castle, the seat of power in Ghana since the 1600s Free

28 Days From
$5,347

Important notes

1. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.
2. A single supplement is not available for this trip.
3. This trip is run by our experienced overland partner Dragoman

Essential trip information

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